Joseph Robert Mierisch, also known as Joey, passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 55, in San Francisco, California. He was born in San Francisco on September 17, 1969, to Stephana White Wolf and Joseph Gilbert Flores. Joseph was a proud member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
Joseph spent his early years living with several foster families in California and visiting his relatives on the Northern Cheyenne reservation. George and Sandra Mierisch of Provo, Utah, adopted Joseph in April 1983.
Joseph was an avid reader. He enjoyed sharing what he read, was interested in world affairs and enjoyed discussing what he read. Music also played an important role in his life. In junior high school he elected to take an orchestra class and learn to play the violin. He discovered that he really enjoyed the violin and classical violin pieces. His teacher declared him a natural violinist, which brought Joe great pride.
Faith was another cornerstone of Joseph’s life. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he found community and spiritual fulfillment. He especially enjoyed participating with the other young men and took pride in assisting with his church responsibilities.
As a teenager, Joseph was involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He liked working on merit badges, often completing many each month, and particularly loved camping and hiking adventures with his troop. These experiences increased his appreciation for nature and helped him learn how to work as a member of a team.
He cherished being a “big” brother figure to those around him—a role he embraced with warmth and sincerity. He especially liked protecting his adopted ‘little’ sister. He played the stern “big” brother whenever a potential boyfriend came on the scene.
Durning Joseph’s young adult years he moved back and forth between San Franciso and Provo, Utah. Often taking side trips to visit his birth relatives in Montana.
He worked as a night security officer for Bay Area Rapid Transit during his time in California and worked at Macy’s department store, as a security officer, while living in Utah. His commitment to ensuring the safety of others reflected his dependable nature and quiet strength.
Later in life, Joseph followed his heart into a more personal vocation — becoming a self-employed dog walker. His affection for animals, especially dogs, was evident to all who knew him. He had a special connection with dogs and often shared photos of them rather than of himself—a testament to where his joy truly lay.
Joseph was preceded in death by his birth parents and his siblings. He is survived by his adopted family: father George Joseph Mierisch; Mother Sandra Edwards Mierisch; and sister Tamara Mierisch Call.
Those who knew Joseph remember him as kind-hearted and always willing to lend a helping hand.
May Joseph’s memory bring comfort to those who knew him and serve as a reminder of a life lived with compassion, curiosity, and quiet strength.
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Anonymous says
Joseph , Prayers For You And Remaining Family/ Flores Condolences